A/N Thanks, firstly, to Stratiotes for allowing me
the privilege of writing within her universe. It's been fun!
Secondly, to all of Stratiotes' readers – I hope that you will
find my "versions" of the characters to be accurate to the rest
of the story… and that you enjoy reading this "episode" of
Flowing Brook 2 as much as I have enjoyed writing it. Please leave
feedback!

"Hey, Jess, you ready yet? Steven's
gonna be here any minute now!"

"He's a guy, he can wait,"
replied an airy voice. Rhea Veldin grinned at her boyfriend Alex as
she exited his sister's bedroom, pulling the door closed. He hugged
her tight before releasing her and raising an eyebrow.

"Well?"

Rhea winked. "You'll be impressed with our efforts. She
looks fabulous, although she's still kinda bemused by the whole
thing."

"Yeah, well, it was Steven's idea I think. Jess
isn't really one for dressing up."

"Perhaps, though I
think you'll agree that she should do it more often when you see
her."

"What?" she asked,
exchanging a knowing look with Rhea, who let out an
uncharacteristically girly giggle.

Alex swallowed. Jessica
wore a shimmering, dark-green full-length dress that clung to her
body, accentuating her slim figure and gentle curves. Glossy
deep-brown hair hung to her shoulders in bouncy curls, and her pretty
face was enhanced with just the slightest application of makeup, a
touch of rouge on the cheeks and some eyeliner to bring out her
sparkling emerald eyes. I've never seen her look so beautiful.
"Erm... wow, Jess!" he murmured.

"Wow? Is that all
you're going to say?" protested Rhea, jabbing him on the arm. "Do
you know how long it took us to get your sister looking like this?"

Alex shook himself out of his daze and glanced at his watch.
"Yeah, about two hours," he replied. "I've been all on my
lonesome since we got back from town!" He smiled at his sibling.
"It was worth the wait, though," he added, and his voice turned
soft with pride. "Jess, you look amazing. Steven's going to go weak
at the knees when he sees you."

Something – Concern?
Worry? Alex wasn't sure – flickered in Jessica's eyes, and then it
was gone. She glanced down at herself and seemed about to speak when
the doorbell rang.

"I'll get it," said Rhea, giving her
boyfriend a pointed look. She had also noticed the brunette's moment
of hesitation, and felt that Alex would be the best one to
investigate if something was troubling his sister. Although Rhea knew
Jessica well, she couldn't match a lifetime of experience with her.
Alex nodded gratefully to Rhea as she left to answer the door before
moving to place his arms around his sibling.

"What's up,
sis?"

She sighed, leaning into him. "I don't know, Alex.
It's... well, all this." She indicated her dress. "All I
suggested to Steven was that we meet up, you know, catch up after all
this time."

"I thought girls like dressing up," said
Alex, a smile playing on his lips. He was rewarded with a gentle
thump.

Rhea wondered why the two siblings were taking so long.
As pleasant as Steven was, she didn't really have a lot in common
with him other than their friendship with Jessica. Their conversation
was drying up now that the usual pleasantries were over.

"Hello,
Steven."

Rhea didn't turn, having recognised Jessica's soft
mezzo-soprano. Instead she watched Steven's reaction, grinning as he,
like Alex had just a short while ago, gazed at the tall brunette with
a mixture of awe and astonishment.

"Wow," he breathed.

Rhea rolled her eyes. "You're as bad as Alex! Don't guys
know how to say anything other than 'wow'?"

Steven barely
registered Rhea's comment. His eyes examined Jessica from head to
toe, taking in every ripple and curve as she stood quietly, her
brother just behind her. For perhaps five seconds the silence
stretched out, and then Steven spoke, his voice husky. "You look
ravishing."

"Right
about what?" inquired Steven, raising an eyebrow at the South
African.

"Jess?"

Jessica shot Rhea a harried look
before turning back to face Steven. "It was nothing, really," she
said hurriedly, and indicated the apartment door. "Shall we?"

Steven glanced at her, then at Rhea, clearly wanting to
pursue his question further. "Bu–"

He was interrupted
by Alex's chuckle of amusement. "Come on, you two. I believe you
have a reservation for 8, and it's almost quarter to."

Steven
faltered for a moment, as if suddenly remembering his duty. "Indeed
we do," he said, opening the door with a flourish. He bowed to
Jessica. "My lady," he said grandly, "your chariot awaits."

– – – – – – – –

"You're in a good mood this evening."

"I
have reason to be," replied Rhea, and snuggled closer to her
boyfriend, a contended smile on her face. They were curled up
together on the sofa in the main living area, having seen Jessica and
Steven out the apartment. "I'm with my favourite American, and I've
just spent a joyous couple of hours doing girly things and making my
best friend look gorgeous – rather successfully, if I say so
myself. Who wouldn't be happy?"

"I had no idea you liked
that kind of thing so much."

"Neither did I! It was fun,
though, just being with your sister. I haven't relaxed like that in a
long time. And she's done so much for me, it was time I helped her
out with something. The Lord knows I needed it. It's amazing how you
forget your troubles when you're busy doing things for someone else."

"Yeah, I know what you mean."

"Hey, talking of
troubles, did Jess say much to you earlier, when I went to let Steven
in?"

"Not really, just that she was a bit weirded out by
Steven's request that she dress up for tonight." Alex frowned in
thought, his right hand idly stroking Rhea's hair as she leaned her
head on his chest. She shifted position slightly and, sensing his
concentration, waited in companionable silence for him to speak.

"Did you see Steven's reaction to Jess?" he said, after a
moment.

"Of course I did! It was just like yours – he was
so surprised he could barely speak!"

Alex grimaced. "Yeah,
but... oh, I don't know. I didn't like the look he gave her."

"Why not?"

"It was too... intense."

"I
didn't think so. In fact I'd say it was quite a normal response for a
guy." Rhea sat up to look into his eyes. "You know, Alex," she
observed, "it is possible to be too protective sometimes.
Don't smother her."

The doorbell rang before Alex could
respond.

"That'll be David, I'll get it," said Rhea,
throwing herself to her feet. While she let their friend in, Alex
pondered his girlfriend's comment. Maybe I am just being paranoid.
We can speak to Jess when she gets ba–"

"That'll be
$20 please," said a voice, interrupting his thoughts. "A bargain,
in my book. And I even got extra pepperoni."

Alex looked up
into the smiling face of his friend David, whose crystal blue eyes
sparkled with mirth. In his arms were two huge flat boxes.

"Pizza!"
exclaimed Rhea happily, bringing out three plates from the kitchen.
"Food fit for a queen."

"If you're the queen, what does
that make us?" inquired David, quirking an eyebrow.

"Why,
you're my loyal servants, of course!" She sat down, holding her
head high. "Now feed me!" she commanded in a poor imitation of a
posh British accent, and closed her eyes.

Alex glanced at
David, who held up a sachet of hot sauce that had come with the
pizza. Too good a chance to miss, the copper-haired youth
mouthed. He opened the sachet and squeezed the contents onto a slice
of pizza, which he passed to his friend.

"Open wide,"
said Alex, a smile playing on his lips as Rhea obeyed. He fed her a
mouthful of pizza and leaned back to witness the results.

It
didn't take long.

"Eww!" choked Rhea, almost spitting the
pizza out. Her mouth was aflame, the potent spices in the hot sauce
bringing tears to her eyes. "Quick, water!" she spluttered.

"In
the kitchen, your highness," replied David, laughing as Rhea
staggered to her feet and ran out of the room. She re-emerged a few
moments later, her face flushed and her T-shirt damp where water from
the sink had splashed. She glared at the two guys.

"Ha ha,
very funny. I don't think I have any taste buds left after that."

"Sorry," said Alex most unapologetically, his green eyes
twinkling.

"When you just shut your eyes like that, we
couldn't help it," explained David. "It was too good an
opportunity!"

Rhea grinned. "Yeah, well, thanks... I
think. But you've wasted a perfectly good slice of pizza!"

"Maybe, but it was worth it just to see the look on your
face."

"I'd like to see the look on your face when I–"

"Okay, let's stop there before someone gets hurt, namely
David," interrupted Alex with a wink at his girlfriend. "Rhea,
why don't you say grace for us, and we can eat – without the hot
sauce."

She settled onto the sofa, curling up her legs
beneath her. "Sure." The three friends bowed their heads and
closed their eyes, David out of habitual respect rather than personal
belief. "Father God, thank You for this food..."

– – – – – – – –

Jessica gazed out the car window as Steven brought the
car to a stop, setting the handbrake with a click. In front of her
was a long, low-slung building, its thatched roof and white walls
glowing with diffuse lighting that beckoned visitors to investigate
what lay within. She turned to her friend in curiosity.

"So
where are we?"

Steven gave her a dazzling smile. "At The
Clayworth Inn, the best-kept secret in – and out of – town."

"Oh?"

"One of my workmates told me about it, he
comes here all the time with his wife. You'll love it, it's real
quiet. The perfect place for a meal together."

"Okay,
cool." Jessica went to open the passenger car door, only to have
Steven place a hand on her arm.

"Wait a moment," he said
hurriedly, and quickly undid his own seatbelt, exiting the car in one
swift movement. Jessica frowned in confusion as he rushed round to
her side and then he opened her door, causing her to smile.

"You
know, this really isn't necessary," she told him, accepting his
proffered hand and easing herself out of the vehicle. Her long dress
threatened to tangle itself around her legs, but she managed –
somehow – to avoid a mishap.

"Sure it is," Steven
replied gallantly, his eyes gleaming in the soft light spilling from
the restaurant windows. Turning to the car, he locked the doors with
a press of his remote before escorting Jessica into the restaurant.

– – – – – – – –

"We have a reservation for eight o'clock."

Jessica gazed at their surroundings, momentarily tuning out
Steven's voice as he spoke to the waitress. Thick, dark wooden beams
criss-crossed the ceiling, contrasting sharply with the brilliant
white stone of which the restaurant was built. On the walls hung
various old farming instruments and drawings of fields of wheat and
rolling plains, giving the whole place a rustic, old-fashioned feel.
Jessica liked it; it reminded her of her childhood, when she would
spend hours with her paternal grandfather in his big garden. He had
always been good with plants, and she had loved watching him work,
weeding the flowerbeds and pruning his trees as he chatted about
life, the universe and everything with her.

The waitress
glanced down her list of names. "Ahh... Bewes?"

"Yes,
that's it."

"Right this way sir, ma'am."

"Thank
you."

The waitress led them to the back of the restaurant,
where they were given a table for two in a corner.

"Allow
me," said Steven, pulling out Jessica's chair for her.

"Oh,
thanks," she murmured absently, glancing round. They had plenty of
privacy. "It doesn't seem very busy," she commented.

Steven
grinned as he took his seat. "What did I tell you? It's a well-kept
secret. Relatively few people know of it; those who do prefer to keep
it hidden from the masses. Makes for a quieter meal out."

Jessica
nodded and began an examination of the menu she had been given. "So,
what's nice to eat here?" she asked presently.

"Well, I
haven't actually been before, so I couldn't say from personal
experience," replied Steven. "However, my colleague said the
steak's a good choice, and his wife always has the chargrilled
chicken."

"Hmm. The cannelloni look interesting. I'm
quite a fan of pasta." She looked up to flash him a brilliant
smile. "Choice, choices. Have you decided what you want yet?"

"Yeah, I'll go for a real man's meal. A 16oz steak, with
chips."

"Okay, well I'll have... erm..." Jessica
flipped back and forth through the menu. "Pasta... or chargrilled
chicken with potato wedges? Um..." She bit her lip.

"Would
you like drinks?" said a voice.

"Yes please," answered
Steven, looking up at the young girl that had just appeared at their
table, a notebook and pen in hand. "Two lemonades please, no ice."

"Two lemonades, okay. Are you ready to order your food now,
or shall I come back in a moment?"

"Yeah, I'm ready. One
16oz steak with chips, well done. Miss Indecisive here is still
trying to make up her mind. Jess?"

Jessica looked up,
startled. She had been so absorbed in her task that she hadn't
noticed the waitress' arrival. She glanced at Steven uncertainly.

"Know what you're having yet?" he asked her, his brown
eyes twinkling.

"Erm, yeah, I think so." She turned in
her seat. "I'll have... um... the lamb lasagne. No, wait, I'll have
the chargrilled chicken and chips."

"Chargrilled chicken
and chips," repeated the waitress.

Jessica flipped the menu
page. "No, actually, make that the beef cannelloni. Sorry."

Steven chuckled. "You sure?"

She gave him a
sheepish glance. "Yeah, beef cannelloni."

"Okay, one
steak with chips, well done, one beef cannelloni, two lemonades, no
ice. Is that all?" asked the waitress.

"Yes, thank you,"
replied Steven for them both as she gathered up the menus.

– – – – – – – –

"So how's the cannelloni?"

"Great,
thanks," replied Jessica, between bites. The speed of service at
the Clayworth Inn had been impressive She had barely
finished describing her day to Steven when their waitress arrived,
two steaming plates of food in her hands. "And your steak?"

"Yeah, really soft and tender, yet well cooked. Jim was
right when he said this place did nice food."

"Mmhmm."

"You want anything afterwards? I heard they do great New
York cheesecake here."

She shook her head somewhat
regretfully. Cheesecake was her favourite dessert. "No, thanks, I'm
going to be full enough with this. I'll
have another lemonade, though."

"Sure." Steven beckoned
a waiter to their table. "Can we have two lemonades, please?
Thanks."

Jessica leaned back in her chair a short while
later, sighing in contentment. She reached for her glass and took a
sip. "Mmm, that was good cannelloni. You know, Steven, you didn't
need to do this. We could have just gone to a coffee bar or
something."

"Hey, it's no trouble," he replied with a
smile. "You're more than welcome. Besides, it's not often I get the
chance to have you all to myself for an evening. I wanted to make the
most of it."

Jessica looked up sharply as she caught a hint
of... something in his voice, and their eyes locked. Electric fire
ran up her spine, causing her to shift awkwardly in her seat, and
then the moment was gone as Steven clinked his glass against hers.

"I propose a toast," he declared, winking at her. "To
friendship."

Jessica nodded, her body relaxing. "To
friendship." They drank.

– – – – – – – –

"Where are you taking me now?"

After paying
for their meal they had returned to the car, Steven again opening
Jessica's door for her. Now they were on the road, and she once more
had little idea of where they were going.

"You'll see."

Jessica glanced at him, noting the smile that played on his
lips. He's enjoying this, she thought, her own mouth quirking
in amusement. If she was honest with herself, she liked the suspense.
It was fun not knowing what was next.

They turned a corner
and she drew a sudden breath as the view opened up in front of them.
She leaned forward in her seat, her eyes widening, as Steven parked
the car.

"Wow." The town lay below, sparkling like a
million jewels. In the distance a high-speed passenger train wound
its way through the countryside.

"Hey, we're on Pixie's
Hill," she observed after a moment of thought. "I didn't know
there was a viewing spot here."

"Well done," said
Steven in admiration. "How'd you do that?"

"Um... you
see the three winking lights?"

"Yeah."

"They're
the three skyscrapers in town."

"Okay. And?"

"Well,
I know their positions, so I just pictured them on the map in my head
and worked out where we must be to see them the way we do."

Steven chuckled. "I always knew you were smart, Jess.
There's no way I could do that, my memory's nowhere near precise
enough."

She shrugged, mildly embarrassed by the praise.
"Alex and Rhea would love it up here," she remarked.

"I'm
sure," agreed Steven, accepting the change in subject. "They seem
to be pretty close for people who've only known each other a few
months."

"Yeah, they are, it's like they were made for
each other. Beneath that tough exterior, Rhea's soft as putty. She
needs Alex's strength." Jessica's smile was a mixture of sadness
and joy. "She's gone through so much, the poor girl. And Alex,
knight-in-shining-armour that he is, couldn't help but respond to her
unspoken cry for help. I'm not sure he realises quite how deeply he
already loves her, but it's pretty obvious to me."

"They
make a good couple." He gazed out over the town. "Jess," he
murmured, "do you ever wish you had what Alex and Rhea have? You
know, a relationship with someone you love and trust, that closeness
and intimacy?"

She gave him a sidelong glance, but he kept
his eyes on the expanse of shimmering lights. "I haven't really
thought about it much," she said slowly.

"Seriously?
You've always said you want to get married."

"Yeah, but
at the right time and with the right person. Now's not the time to
even be thinking of a relationship."

"Why not?"

Jessica smoothed her dress over her legs. Where's this
going? "I'm too busy, for one, with my new responsibilities.
Secondly, Rhea needs me; she's had a tough time late–"

"She
has Alex," Steven pointed out.

"Most importantly," she
continued, ignoring his interruption, "I've always believed God
will bring me and my husband-to-be together in His timing, when He
knows I'm ready. I'm not in any hurry. Besides, first I need to deal
with–" She faltered, berating herself for her slipup. He was sure
to notice.

"You need to deal with..." he prodded,
oblivious to or ignoring her sudden internal turmoil.

"Steven,
you know what I was about to say," said Jessica quietly, clasping
her hands together in her lap. Please. Not now.

"And
you know that you have to stop running away from it, Jess!"
he replied, turning to face her. She looked up at him. His eyes
glinted in the half-light filtering into the car, and she had to
resist an abrupt urge to brush away the strand of hair that had
fallen over his face.

"Yeah, just... let me sort it out in
my own time, okay?"

"In your own time?" he questioned,
his voice softly insistent. "When will that be? You've been
avoiding it for far too long. If you don't face it soon, it's going
to eat you up. You'll never be able to move on, to put it behind you.
It will haunt you for the rest of your life!"

Jessica
slumped and twisted slightly in her seat, not wanting Steven to see
the pain in her eyes. Please stop, she pleaded silently.

"Jess? Jess, look at me." He put a hand on her arm,
coaxing her to turn towards him. Reluctantly, she obeyed. He sighed
heavily. "Why won't you talk about it with me? I'm your friend,
talking is what friends like us do."

He's right, you do
need to talk, she told herself. And why not with him? He was
the one you spoke to when it happened. Look how he's been there for
you. Jessica took a shaky breath. But I can't... not now. Not
here. It's too hard. "Please, Steven," she whispered.
"just... I can't, okay? I'm not... don't..." She lapsed into
silence, unable to find adequate words.

To her surprise he
let go of her arm and leaned back, his posture relaxing. "Okay
then."

Thank You, Lord! she prayed in relief. Steven
flicked on the car stereo, the CD changer underneath the back seat
whirring merrily to life.

"Hey, I love this album!"
exclaimed Jessica, as an intricate guitar instrumental began to play.
She closed her eyes, allowing the music to soothe away the tension
she felt. It was always the same, every time. Whenever the subject of
the attack came up her body would surge with adrenaline, tightening
almost instinctively. It often took her a while to unwind when it
happened, and she had been delighted to find that music had a
marvellous calming effect.

She shifted into a more
comfortable position, her thoughts beginning to wander. Dear
Steven, he's been so gentlemanly with me tonight.And I do
enjoy his company. She wondered about his earlier comment on her
seeming lack of interest in a relationship. She hadn't been entirely
open with her reply, she admitted to herself. While she truly
believed what she'd said about God's timing, and she really did know
deep down that she wasn't ready yet emotionally to devote herself to
anyone in that way, there was certainly no lack of desire to do so.
If you're brutally honest with yourself, girl, you'll also admit that
there are days when you... envy Rhea's relationship with your
brother.

Steven.

She recalled his mischievous smile and
the way he so often popped in her office for a chat during one of her
free periods. He must have my schedule memorised by now. He
was attractive in so many ways, and a good friend, but Jessica
refused to allow herself to entertain the possibility of anything
more. It would be wrong. She knew the Bible's prohibition
well, and accepted it without hesitation. Simply put, their lives
were headed in opposite directions. Besides, it wouldn't work
anyway. There was so much she wanted to share with him, but he
simply wouldn't understand her faith, wouldn't be able to comprehend
how it formed the underlying reason for everything she did, the
passion that drove her in life. She had tried to explain her beliefs
to him once before, but he'd just given her a smile and shrugged them
off. With that kind of divide any relationship they might have tried
would almost inevitably end in heartbreak.

"Something
wrong, Jess?" Steven's voice made her jump. Her eyes snapped open
to see him watching her intently.

"No," she answered,
"why do you ask?"

"Well, you were frowning a moment
ago."

Jessica smiled at him. "Oh, I was just thinking."
As his face grew curious, she added quickly, "It was nothing much,
honest."

Steven looked as if he was about to say something
more, then thought better of it. He shrugged and returned her smile.
"Okay."

She noticed the car clock in the central fascia,
its luminescent hands glowing dully, and blinked. How time flies.
Steven saw the direction of her gaze.

"Hey, I guess
it's getting kinda late. You wanna go home?"

She nodded,
stifling a sudden, unexpected yawn. "Yes, please."

"Your
wish is my command," he quipped, and started the car.

– – – – – – – –

"You looked radiant
tonight," commented Steven as he set the handbrake and sat back in
his seat.

Despite herself, Jessica blushed again. She was
thankful he couldn't see her clearly. "You looked pretty good
yourself," she replied. And he had, with his midnight-black suit
and crisp white shirt, not a hair out of place and his white teeth
flashing in a picture-perfect smile. If only... She shut the
troubling thought away with a tiny shake of her head. They sat in
comfortable silence for a moment, and then Jessica put a hand on the
door release.

"I told you before,
you really don't need to do this every time I get in or out of the
car," she protested laughingly as he opened her door for her.

"Sure I do. Can't have me forgetting my manners right at
the end, can we?" She took his arm as they walked up to the main
entrance to Jessica and Alex's apartment complex.

"I'm
afraid I can't walk you right up to your door," said Steven
regretfully as Jessica hunted in her purse for her keys. He indicated
his car with his free arm. "I'm not supposed to park there."

She smiled. "That's okay, I'll be fine." They reached the
heavy steel gate, and she turned to her friend. "Thank you for this
evening. It was lovely."

He grinned. "The pleasure was
all mine, I assure you."

Jessica released his arm, and was
about to push her key into the lock when Steven caught her hand in
his. She looked at him uncertainly, her pulse beginning to increase
as she felt his thumb gently rubbing over her fingers. His eyes were
dark pools glinting in the dim light cast by the streetlamps, and she
found herself sinking into their depths as their gazes locked. He's
so close.

"Jess," he murmured, his voice thick.

She
struggled for control as he drew nearer, her every sense seemingly
magnified ten-fold. His shallow, even breathing whispered to her, and
she could feel the soft warmth of his hand on hers with exquisite
clarity. Her whole body tingled as she caught the scent of his
aftershave, her eyes closing reflexively–

No.

Jessica
moved her head, and the kiss landed on her cheek. Her eyes snapped
open, catching an almost imperceptible hardness that flickered across
Steven's face. He abruptly released her hand, and she felt her cheeks
heat.

He cleared his throat. "I'll see you on Monday," he
said brusquely, nodding to her and turning back to his car.

"O-Okay," she mumbled, her mind and heart confused as she
watched Steven drive away. What just happened there?

Jessica
stood by the entranceway, gazing into the night, long after the last
sounds of the car had faded. Her heart ached, torn between longing
and deep conviction. Alex. Rhea. I need to talk to them. Her
shoulders drooping, she unlocked the gate and pushed her way through
it, suddenly feeling very vulnerable.

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